Last month, A Minecraft Movie was released in theaters. Starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black (along with the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge), the cast brought the video game franchise to the silver screen.
Yes, I know what Minecraft is. Yes, I understand the fundamental concepts. Yes, my kids even played it. One of the other men at a recent men’s breakfast said his teenage sons still play this game.
But the allure of Minecraft has missed its mark with me. I have never had an interest in playing the game.
If I play and build things with blocks, I will turn to a Lego set.
But the game’s popularity, first released in 2009, is undeniable. By October 2023, the game had sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Surely there is something beyond a video game that beckons back to the 8-bit graphics of my youth behind this popular, dare I say, movement.
Science seems to think so. It may delve into the basic human need to create.
Creation is something I know all too well. Creating photographs. Creating newspaper articles. Creating computer applications. Creating books. Creating a family.
Science seems to support this need to desire. The BBC published an article in March titled “The psychology behind why children are hooked on Minecraft” that takes a closer look at Minecraft and its appeal to children of all ages.
Some parents argue that the benefits outweigh the quantity of screen time some children spend on the game. Others say the game is suitable for focus and reasoning skills.
Is there a right or wrong answer? I don’t think so. I believe that is a decision every parent has to make for their children.
Still, I can’t help but wonder if I need to give Minecraft another chance. I guess time will tell…
PHOTO CREDIT: By Cosmopolitan, Fair use, Link
